What Is a Good Credit Score and Why It Matters

A “good” credit score is not a guess; it is defined by the scoring models lenders actually rely on. On the dominant FICO® scale (300–850), scores of 670–739 are considered “Good,” 740–799 “Very Good,” and 800–850 “Exceptional.” These tiers matter because they change real prices: conventional mortgages use credit-score buckets in their fee and rate grids, auto loan APRs climb quickly as scores fall, and — in most states — insurers use credit-based insurance scores when setting premiums. Recent data show the average U.S. FICO Score is about 715, a small dip from the prior year as delinquencies and card utilization ticked higher. If you are close to the next tier, a few focused moves can shave hundreds or even thousands of dollars from borrowing costs over the life of a loan.

Credit score ranges: what counts as “good” today

Most U.S. consumer lending is built around a 300–850 scale. For FICO® Scores, ranges are commonly described as: Poor (300–579), Fair (580–669), Good (670–739), Very Good (740–799), and Exceptional (800–850). These labels come from FICO’s own education materials and are widely used by lenders and consumer sites. Each lender still decides its own cutoffs, but these bands describe how risk typically groups together.

In practice, premium credit cards and the most aggressively advertised APRs tend to target the Very Good and Exceptional tiers. Approvals in the Good band are still common but may carry higher interest rates, lower starting credit limits, or stricter terms. Lenders also look beyond a single number: thin credit history, high utilization, recent delinquencies, and the types of accounts you carry can all influence the final decision. A practical mindset is to focus on reaching the next tier up instead of chasing a perfect 850. Each rung tends to improve pricing and approval odds without needing perfection.

Source: myFICO — FICO® Score ranges and definitions.

How your score shows up in real money (mortgage, auto, insurance)

A higher score does not just feel better; it changes what you pay. On conventional mortgages, Fannie Mae’s Loan-Level Price Adjustment (LLPA) matrix varies by credit-score bucket and loan-to-value (LTV) ratio. Moving from one score bucket to the next (for example, 660–679 up to 680–699) can shift upfront fees and the rate your lender quotes. Over a 30-year term, even a small rate difference can add or subtract many thousands of dollars in interest.

For auto loans, Experian’s recent market data show average interest rates around 6–7% for new cars and 11–12% for used vehicles across all borrowers, with substantially higher APRs for lower-score tiers and more favorable rates for borrowers in the Very Good and Exceptional bands. That gap can easily translate into a difference of $50–$100 per month on the same vehicle.

In most states, credit-based insurance scores also influence auto and homeowners insurance pricing. Regulators and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) note that some states restrict or ban certain uses of credit, while many others allow insurers to factor credit risk into underwriting and rating as long as they follow state rules. If your credit score improves, it is worth re-shopping insurance to see whether your premiums can come down.

Actionably, it often pays to time large credit decisions around your score. If you are on the edge of a higher tier and can take 30–60 days to lower utilization and clean up errors, you may qualify for a better mortgage rate, auto APR, or insurance offer.

What drives your score (and where to focus first)

FICO does not publish exact percentages for every model, but its education materials consistently highlight five main factors. Together they explain why some actions move the needle quickly while others are slower:

• Payment history (largest factor).
  On-time payments across all credit accounts are the single most important ingredient. Set up autopay for at least the statement minimum on every card and loan, and bring any past-due accounts current as soon as possible. Recent serious delinquencies (such as 60–90 days late) hurt the most.
• Amounts owed and credit utilization.
  The ratio of your revolving balances to your total limits (utilization) is a major lever. As a rule of thumb, try to keep overall utilization under about 30%, and lower if you are trying to reach a higher tier. Paying down balances before the statement closing date can help lower the numbers that get reported.
• Length of credit history.
  Older accounts help establish a longer average age. Keeping your oldest fee-free cards open (and used occasionally) supports this factor over time.
• New credit and inquiries.
  Opening multiple new accounts in a short period can signal higher risk. When possible, group rate-shopping for auto or mortgage into a focused window and avoid unnecessary applications in the months before a major loan.
• Credit mix.
  Scores may benefit modestly from having experience with different account types (for example, a mix of revolving and installment accounts), but mix alone is not a reason to take on new debt. Treat it as a secondary factor once payment history and utilization are strong.

If your credit reports contain errors or outdated negative information, submitting disputes with each bureau can also produce improvements. Accurate data is a prerequisite for an accurate score.

BNPL in 2025: helpful tool with more visibility

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) plans function like short-term installment loans, and they are becoming more visible in the credit system. In 2024, Experian announced that Apple Pay Later loans would start appearing on Experian credit reports under a BNPL designation. In a related move, Affirm stated that, beginning April 1, 2025, it would report all pay-over-time loans to Experian, not just a subset.

TransUnion has also been building ways to include BNPL and point-of-sale data in the core credit file, initially with “score shielding” so older models do not automatically treat this data like traditional revolving debt. Over time, newer scoring models may incorporate BNPL behavior more directly.

The practical takeaway is straightforward: treat BNPL like any other loan. Even when a specific plan does not yet feed directly into a traditional score, collections from missed BNPL payments can damage your credit in the same way as other unpaid debts. Limiting yourself to one or two active plans at a time, calendaring every due date, and avoiding BNPL for everyday consumables or subscriptions can help prevent overextension.

30/60/90-day plan to move toward the next tier

You cannot rebuild a credit profile overnight, but a structured 90-day window can set up meaningful progress, especially if you are near a tier boundary.

• Days 1–30: Stabilize and stop the bleeding.
  Turn on autopay (at least the minimum) for every card and loan. Bring any past-due accounts current if possible, starting with the most recent delinquencies. Make extra payments on high-utilization cards before their statement dates so lower balances get reported. Pull all three credit reports and note any clear errors or outdated negatives to dispute.
• Days 31–60: Lower utilization and tidy up data.
  Keep new spending under plan while you continue paying down revolving balances. If you use a balance transfer, choose a genuine 0% introductory offer with a clear payoff date and avoid adding new purchases to that card. Confirm that updated, lower balances are now showing on your reports and that any disputes have been processed.
• Days 61–90: Protect recent gains and shop strategically.
  If you are planning a major application and are close to a higher tier, avoid new hard inquiries unless necessary. Where available, consider adding verified positive data (such as on-time rent) through tools that certain bureaus accept. For a mortgage, ask your loan officer whether a rapid rescore is appropriate once your updated balances are in. For auto and insurance, collect multiple quotes; thresholds vary by lender, insurer, and state rules.

Across the full 90 days, the consistent pattern — on-time payments, lower utilization, and fewer surprises in your file — is what tends to move scores in a durable way.